Holder for replaceable cleaning element

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device comprises a holder for a replaceable cleaning element, and a handle. The holder is composed of a stationary clamping jaw and an adjustable clamping jaw pivoted to each other. The stationary clamping jaw is provided with a neck-like extension for insertion of the handle. A rack provided with thread-type teeth is movable on the neck-like extension along the longitudinal axis thereof. The adjustable clamping jaw of the holder is hingedly connected to the rack, while a nut provided on the neck-like extension and prevented from axial displacement engages the teeth of the rack.

United States Patent [191 Unger June 4, 1974 1 1 HOLDER FOR REPLACEABLE CLEANING ELEMENT 22 Filed: Aug. 16, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 281,155

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 15/147 C, 178, 209 R, 209 AH, 244 R, 244 CH; 81/388, 390, 396, 115; 294/104 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Mason 15/150 1,208,694 12/1916 Swickard 81/388 1,295,492 2/1919 Heaton 294/104 X 2,533,436 12/1950 Co11ison 81/390 X 2,572,991 10/1951 De Grand 294/104 Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wicks & Nemer [57] ABSTRACT A cleaning device comprises a holder for a replaceable cleaning element, and a handle. The holder is composed of a stationary clamping jaw and an adjustable clamping jaw pivoted to each other. The stationary clamping jaw is provided with a neck-like extension for insertion of the handle. A rack provided with thread-type teeth is movable on the neck-like extension along the longitudinal axis thereof. The adjustable clamping jaw of the holder is hingedly connected to the rack, while a nut provided on the neck-1ike extension and prevented from axial displacement engages the teeth of the rack.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEHJUII 4 I874 SHEET 1 {IF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to cleaning devices of the kind comprising a holder for a replaceable cleaning element and provided with a handle, the said holder being composed of a stationary clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw pivoted to each other, whereby the cleaning element can be clamped fast between the clamping jaws one of which has a neck-like extension for insertion of the handle, whereas the other clamping jaw can be swivelled by hand for the purpose of replacing the cleaning element.

With the known cleaning devices of this kind the movable clamping jaw is actuated with the aid of a toggle lever rotatably attached to the neck of the other clamping jaw, the said toggle lever engaging the movable clamping jaw via tension springs. These cleaning devices have a considerable disadvantage, which is described below. In order to secure the cleaning tool or element firmly between the clamping jaws, the clamping force of the tension springs must be'relatively high. As a result a relatively great effort is needed for tensioning the tension springs with a view to securing the cleaning tool between the clamping jaws. This does not preclude a possibility of the hand which actuates the toggle lever being injured when the toggle lever hits the shaft of the cleaning device. A further disadvantage of the known cleaning devices consists in the fact that the cleaning tool secured between the clamping jaws is subject to a more or less constant spring force, irrespective of the given thickness and the nature or characteristics of the material from which it is made. 'As a resultthe relatively great effort required in any case for tensioning the springs is further increased with relatively thick cleaning tools particularly ifthe latter consist ofa more or less rigid material. whereas with thin-walled cleaning tools consisting e.g. of foam rubber-like material there is a danger of the cleaning tools being damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages attaching to the known cleaning devices of the kind initially described.

To attain this object the present invention provides a cleaning device which comprises a holder for a replaceable cleaning element and including a stationary clamping jaw and an adjustable clamping jaw pivoted to each other at their rear ends and adapted clampingly to hold the replaceable cleaning element between their front ends; a handle extending from the holder; a necklike extension on the stationary clamping jaw, into which one end of the handle is inserted; a rack having thread-type teeth and arranged to be movable on the neck-like extension along the longitudinal axis thereof; means pivotally connecting the adjustable clamping jaw to the rack; a manually screwable nut provided on the neck-like extension and engaging the teeth of the rack, and means for preventing said nut from axial displacement.

In order to release or secure the cleaning element it is sufficient to operate the nut by hand, little effort being required for clamping the cleaning element. Another progressive feature of the invention consists in that the force required for safe clamping of the cleaning element can be adjusted with the aid of the nut, so

that cleaning elements consisting of relatively sensitive material are no longer liable to be damaged as hitherto. Lastly, there is no longer any danger of the clamping jaws of the holder being broken in case of an impact when the holder is made of aluminum, since the design does not provide for any tension springs, whereas such a danger exists if tension springs are provided owing to the tension forces which have a disadvantageous effect on the structure of the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cleaning device according to the invention which comprises a holder 2 for a replaceable cleaning tool 1 which may be made of foam rubber or the like material. The holder 2 is composed of two clamping jaws 3 and 4. The clamping jaw 3 is stationary and has on its rear end a necklike extension 5 in which one end of a shaft-type handle 6 is firmly inserted. The clamping jaw 4 is adjustable and has on its rear end two fork ends 7 and 8 (FIG. 3) by means of which it encompasses the neck-like extension 5 of the stationary clamping jaw 3 and with which it can be swivelled about pins 9 and 10 projecting from the neck-like extension 5. The reference numeral 11 designates a rack provided with thread-type teeth and axially movable within a groove 12 (FIG. 4) extending along the longitudinal axis within the outer shell of the neck-like extension 5. A manually screwable nut 13 is provided on the neck-like extension 5 and engages the teeth of the rack 11 between two split rings 14 and 15 preventing the nut 13 from axial displacement. At the end of rack 11 which faces the holder 2, a substantially U-shaped arm 16 is provided at right angles to the rack, whereby the said arm 16 can be swivelled about pins 17 projecting from the sides of rack 11. The fork ends 7 and 8 of the adjustable clamping jaw 4 can be swivelled about pins 18 and 19 within the legs of the U-shaped arm 16.

If the nut 13 is turned in one direction the rack llis pulled up thereby swivelling the adjustable clamping jaw 4 in the direction towards the stationary clamping jaw 3 until the cleaning element 1 is firmly secured between the clamping jaws 3 and 4. In order to release the cleaning element 1, the nut 13 is turned in the other direction whereby the rack 11 is pushed forward and swivels the adjustable clamping jaw 4 away from the stationary clamping jaw 3 until the cleaning element 1 can be taken out of the holder 2.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:

l. A cleaning device comprising:

a. a holder for a replaceable eiement and including a stationary clamping jaw and an adjustable clamping jaw pivoted to each other at their rear ends and adapted clampingly to hold the replaceable cleaning element between their front ends, the rear end of the adjustable clampingjaw having fork-like extension;

b. a neck-like extension formed on the rear end of the stationary clamping jaw said neck like extension extending betweenthe fork-like extension of the adjustable clamping jaw,

c. a rack having thread-type teeth and arranged to be movable on the neck-like extension along the longitudinal axis thereof,

d. arm means pivotally mounted on the rack,

e. means pivotally connecting the fork-like extension of the adjustable clamping jaw to the arm means pivotally mounted on the rack,

f. a manually screwable nut provided around the neck-like extension and engaging the teeth of the rack for moving the same, and

g. means for preventing said nut from axial displacement on said neck-like extension.

2. A cleaning device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein the means pivotally mounted on the rack comprise a substantially U-shaped arm pivoted to the rack at right angles thereto.

3. A cleaning device in accordance with claim 1,

wherein the rack is axially displaceably located within 5 a groove in the shell of the neck-like extension of the stationary clamping jaw. 

1. A cleaning device comprising: a. a holder for a replaceable element and including a stationary clamping jaw and an adjustable clamping jaw pivoted to each other at their rear ends and adapted clampingly to hold the replaceable cLeaning element between their front ends, the rear end of the adjustable clamping jaw having fork-like extension; b. a neck-like extension formed on the rear end of the stationary clamping jaw said neck like extension extending between the fork-like extension of the adjustable clamping jaw, c. a rack having thread-type teeth and arranged to be movable on the neck-like extension along the longitudinal axis thereof, d. arm means pivotally mounted on the rack, e. means pivotally connecting the fork-like extension of the adjustable clamping jaw to the arm means pivotally mounted on the rack, f. a manually screwable nut provided around the neck-like extension and engaging the teeth of the rack for moving the same, and g. means for preventing said nut from axial displacement on said neck-like extension.
 2. A cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means pivotally mounted on the rack comprise a substantially U-shaped arm pivoted to the rack at right angles thereto.
 3. A cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rack is axially displaceably located within a groove in the shell of the neck-like extension of the stationary clamping jaw. 